Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten” is now confirmed for the Metropolitan Opera in 2019.

The opera was previously rumored to appear with the company, but has now been confirmed by a New York Times article with countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo.

This run of performances would be the opera’s premiere with the company and it will be staged by Phelim McDermott with Costanzo in the title role. McDermott has previously directed “The Enchanted Island” and a production of Glass’ “Satyagraha” for the Met and is slated to direct a new production of “Così fan tutte” for the company, which premieres in the spring of 2018.

Costanzo has become one of the big names in the international opera world, taking on the role of Prince Orlofsky in the Met’s “Die Fledermaus” back in 2013. He first sang the title role of Akhnaten in 2016 at the English National Opera as is coming off a successful run of “Farnace” at the Spoletto Festival USA. He will perform in “Giulio Cesare” at the Houston Grand Opera later this fall and will also taken on “Written on Skin” at Opera Philadelphia.

About the Author

Prior to creating OperaWire, DAVID SALAZAR, (Editor-in-Chief) worked as a reporter for Latin Post where he interviewed major opera stars including Placido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, Vittorio Grigolo, Diana Damrau and Rolando Villazon among others. His 2014 interview with opera star Kristine Opolais was cited in a New York Times Review.

He also had the opportunity of interviewing numerous Oscar nominees, Golden Globe winners and film industry giants such as Guillermo del Toro, Oscar Isaac and John Leguizamo among others.

David holds a Masters in Media Management from Fordham University. During his time at Fordham, he studied abroad at the Jagiellonian University in Poland. He also holds a dual bachelor’s from Hofstra University in Film Production and Journalism.

Susanna Malkki conducted Saariaho’s “L’Amour de Loin” and now Karen Kamensek will conduct “Akhnaten.” As new operas by living composers enter the Metropolitan’s canonic stage, so do women conductors? It would be a great article on this topic to consider for David Salazar!